BFF 10K - Year Two

The BFF 10K finish line at Barefoot Landing and Resort

Howdy people. We had a great weekend full of exercise here in SC.  Saturday was the second year that I ran the BFF Pink Ribbon 10K. The purpose of the race was to create awareness and raise funds for breast cancer research and treatment. It was so awesome because we had ladies there who have survived breast cancer and then those that were honoring loved ones who had lost their battle with this awful disease. Just like last year, I ran this to celebrate my cousin, Terri (Sista Sista), who is a longstanding breast cancer survivor.

BFF 10K Finisher Medal

Me, Christie and our friend, Wendi

The race began in N. Myrtle Beach near Barefoot Landing and wound it's way through a lovely subdivision behind the resort. My friend Christie and I ran together this year. She told me that she had been sick all week so she might have to walk some and talk very little. I considered myself forewarned. I tend to talk.....a lot. She then told me that she could do a lot of listening, though. HaHa! She's so sweet that way!

It was a beautiful day for a race. The sun was shining. It was a little cool, but by the time we lined up to start, I had to peel off my jacket. And then......we were off. First order of running.....conquer a bridge! What? I don't remember the bridge being that steep last year. But looking back, I did refer to it as Mt. Kilimanjaro. Good thing it wasn't too long and good thing it was near the beginning of the race. Now, by this time the crowd was starting to thin out. Christie and I began plotting our "who are we going to pass" strategy. So, up ahead we saw this lady that I passed last year at around mile 5. I was jubilant back then about passing her.....seeing that she has to be at least six and half feet tall with legs as long as I am tall. 

(You can read about that race here. And yes, if you must know, I did wear the same running outfit as last year. So what?)

Anyway, we honed in on "tall lady"....our first victim. And guess what? It was a surprise attack. We overtook her in mere minutes and she didn't even see us coming.  

HeHe. I really am a good sport...really. Just ask Cliff. Although, cordial and kind to my fellow opponents, he'll tell you how I used to pout for days after losing a tennis match.  

The first 2 miles were tough. It seemed to take both of us that long to get our legs loosened up. Finally, getting totally warmed up and settling in for the next few miles, we started the hunt for our second victim. Miles 3 to 5 were okay. And then, around mile 5, it was clear. I set our goal to pass the lady who had been hovering near us practically the whole race. We would take her out. She was just ahead at this point and I told Christie that she was "the one". Christie was having some concerns and I reassured her that once we passed her we didn't have to stay passed. HaHa!  We both used that energy, I think, to accomplish our goal. Not only did we pass her, but we stayed out in front. Score!

As we came closer to the finish line, I told Christie that I like to sprint to the finish. By this time my legs were itching to kick into sprint mode. With her blessing, of course, I took off. Rounding the corner to the finish line, there is a slight downhill section. I looked down at my Garmin at that point and I was running an 8:53 pace. Felt like I was flying. Well, don't get all excited. That is certainly not my usual pace. You know I'm slow. I wanted to keep that pace soooo bad though, but as soon as I got to the end of the hill, it felt like I had just launched a parachute out the back. None-the-less, I crossed with a smile on my face, feeling sure I had beat last year's time. And I did, by one minute. Christie was not far behind. We had a great time and for sure, it was a great cause.

BFF 10K Finisher

Goals for this race:

Pass at least one person - check

Don't finish last - check

Beat last year's time - check

In Retrospect:

I felt like my workouts at the gym were successful. I felt stronger and faster. And even though the stupid Nerves showed up that morning, I felt more confident. I feel excited about future races. I began running with the goals of losing weight and getting healthy in mind. It certainly has been a learning experience. The right combination of nutrition and exercise is a juggling act, to say the least. I am constantly learning. It's a lifestyle change....and it doesn't happen overnight. Slow and steady is the name of the game.

Laurie